Just to Ponder

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• We cannot be in tune with infinite unless we are in tune with ourselves. ~ Akbar Ali Jetha

• By the time a man understands his father was right, he has a son, who thinks he is wrong. ~ Mona Spring

• In the odds & evens of Life, one thing is for sure; the show must go on.

• This is our work, who we are, what you can count on.

• "To stand for Individual progress without hurting others is nice. To stand for Team's progress is nicer. To stand for the progress of Society & Mankind is noble." Let's take a stand to do something noble.
  

Anger

Image by scriptingnews via FlickrAnger is a completely normal, usually healthy, negative human emotion. Why do we have it? I think it is because we want to Control situations of the past which we can't and to Control people's behaviour, the way we want them to behave them.

While thinking over it I found that it is due to image in our mind set which triggers Anger when ever it differs from our set image of situation or person which we have created for the person/ situation and that may be totally different.

I think we can win over this emotion by removing our expectations from people / situation. It's really easier said then done. But, I believe, we can start experimenting by making a declaration of having a day of no expectations with hubby, co-workers, kids, traffic, pollution, fund managers, bankers or even systems.

Are you ready to play the game? An invitation to share your views and experiences along with your thoughts on Anger.

I love you!

I love you! The most wonderful, uplifting phrase in all the world. It does not matter what language you say it in, it always has the same effect. So, how often do you say it? Do you say it enough to those in your life that matter? Could you say it to a complete stranger?

I tell my wife, child and family members that I can that I love them. We close all our conversations with "Love ya, bye!". I even tell my dog, cats and garden plants that I love them. But I am like a majority of people out there who probably would not and could not tell someone I do not know that I love them. I mean the animals and plants will not try to have me arrested or give me weird looks. OK, so the cats give me weird looks all the time but they are cats, they just do that.

So, how can I say "I love you" without actually saying it. Actually, there are numerous ways I can do this and I will share a few of them with you.

1. I can just smile at people. A smile can say "I love you". It has at least a similar effect as uttering that wonderful phrase. When you smile at someone, you are letting them know that you care. And if they smile back then you have connected on the soul level.

2. I can just think "I love you". Sure, our thoughts are creative. That energy is released into the Universe and does have a positive affect, so why not walk around and think "I love you" about everything, especially yourself. It is the energy that is most important here so release your "love" energy for all the world to feel. Quite frankly we do not tell ourselves enough that we love who we are. Like I have always said it all begins with us, so go ahead, tell yourself that you love yourself.

3. I can give a gift to someone, donate to charity or volunteer for a worthy cause. All of these actions say "I love you" and just like thinking it, you spread the energy.

4. I can just look into someones eyes and with a look of love, I can connect and share the "love" energy, so words are not really even necessary. Did you ever do that? Just look deep into someones eyes and connect with their very soul. Wow, that is always a powerful moment.

5. I can write a poem, song or letter in which I express my love for someone, something or even the entire world.

6. Finally, I can just be loving towards myself and others. I can give a compliment, open a door, help someone load groceries in their car. I can get a massage, meditate, take a walk or eat my favorite desert.

There are as many ways that you and I can spread love either by actually saying "I love you" or doing and thinking loving things. The possibilities are as endless as the Universe.

So, let's all go out there and spread love in every way we can. I know it will have an immediate impact on you and the world.

I leave you today with this quote:

"Don't spend your precious time asking 'Why isn't the world a better place?' It will only be time wasted. The question to ask is 'How can I make it better?' To that there is an answer." - Leo F. Buscaglia

I LOVE YOU!

Harry Shade
An author, inspirational speaker, trainer and coach. Lives in Columbus, OH. He is a graduate of The Ohio State University and a life member of the The Ohio State University Alumni Club. He has studied spiritual things for the past 35 years and own his own business, Rare Sense Unlimited where he help people along their spiritual path and with their life goals. He lives life to the fullest each and every day and approach life with a never ending optimism. His main goal is to help at least one million along their spiritual path and to find their life's path. My first book, Rare Sense: One day It Will Be Common; A Practical Guide to a Fulfilled and Balanced Life is available through Trafford Publishing, www.trafford.com/07-1266. You can learn more about him and the services he provide @ www.raresenseunlimited.com.

Copyright 2008, Harry Shade, All Rights Reserved
Sourced with permission from http://raresenseunlimited.blogspot.com/

I can be a winner

I can be assertive

I can be honest with my feelings

I can be positive

I can be strong

I can change

I can control my temper

I can gain self-confidence

I can grow

I can handle my own problems

I can heal

I can laugh and have fun

I can let go of being compulsive

I can let go of fear

I can let go of guilt

I can lose weight

I can love my children

I can stop smoking

I can succeed

I can take risks

“I am” Affirmations

Image via Wikipedia

I am alive

I am healthy

I am happy

I am connected with God

I am protected and safe

I am a good person

I am beautiful

I am strong

I am competent

I am intelligent

I am loving

I am energetic

I am enthusiastic

I am generous

I am forgiving

I am free

I am relaxed

I am courageous

I am trusting

I am caring

I am smart

I am creative

I am productive

I am thankful

In The Morning

Image via WikipediaAll we have ever dreamed to know
Has not been seized

In the Morning I awaken to a new potential
I am given this day where possibilities are waiting to be born
A thousand lies seek to undertake at dawns first light
to overthrow the throne of truth deep within me
We have set up our camp together
We have known what to expect
Those who seek war,
seek war in secret
Attack while we rest

This is the waking mind
Ready to proclaim anything quiet
Ready to steal happiness
Ready to throw arrows of destruction before the sun even rises

I look to your face for their I see our future
Along your closed eyelids I see memories of the family you love so deeply
You have kept watch over me all night
Even asleep I recall your guarding footsteps

A King protects his Kingdom
And I shall love you among those who are walking
Dead to their dreams
Dead to their purpose
Dead to their visions

Yes ..We are strangers here in this land we once called home
My love weeps for you just as yours does for me
Our deep personal experience has brought us to new revelations

No one saw our tears and that could sadden any heart
But
Our embrace for this very cause was for us alone
To bring understanding in truth and a promise to those we love saying

Even though…

We may appear lost in a society of conditions
that which is divine cannot be called human
The message of truth we have discovered and have shared for our Father IS
And forever more shall BE a direction
For we carry
our Fathers heart
our Fathers passion and in this we become our Fathers light

we have found possibilities
We have uncovered ancient wisdoms of the beginning
we have passed from death to life
we have accepted our faith from our experience

And when they rise up to separate us
We remember our souls are eternal because our faith does not come from here
Our faith is a living faith that flows from our Father

Remember the father of earth who believes his entire life he has failed
Rise up and be made new ….with fresh faith to offer his newborn son the very best of his spirit
The very nature of this is just as the sun rises in the morning
And he allows no failure to crumble his spirits
He has found victory

Remember the trees each beautiful and unique even in the fall
They are not tied to the moments of the past or captured by the summer winds
Freely they move not by authority but by freedom and liberty

Our embrace through the night has kept us safely through until morning
Because it did not come from what we forced ourselves to do

We have found our common home
We have uncovered our common desires
We are the Living Faith of our Home

All we have ever dreamed to know
Has not been seized

For it is the Will of our Father
And can be renewed on earth anywhere.
In every morning.

CCSmith

Resource Colleen Ranney's FB Notes

I aspire ...

Image by jsymmetry via FlickrMay every being remain happy.

May there be no enmity, immorality or pride.

May the virtues prevail in all.

May there be no perils.

May there be no drought.

May there be no illness.

May everyone live in peace.

May there be compassion every where.

May no one speak malice.

May we always remain to be a responsible citizen.

By developing the understanding the nature of sustances, I develop courage to face adversity.

I do not fear...

Image via WikipediaI do not fear bad or good wishes.

I do not fear money loss.

I do not fear death.

I do not fear to walk on the virtues path.

I do not fear the perils.

May I never compromise in my virtues for fear anything.

My Feelings...

Image via WikipediaMy feelings of friendliness for all.

My feelings of sympathy for the poor and miserable.

My feelings of indifference for the ill-virtued.

My feelings of praise, appreciation for people with virtues.

May I always look at good qualities of others and not their follies.

I keep away from...

Image by Su℮ ❥ via Flickr
I keep away from the five infirmities of Causing Injury, Lying, Stealing,, Impurity in Relation and Excessiveness.

I keep away from the four passions of Anger, Pride, Deciet and Greed.

I choose to be simple, truthful and helpful towards all.

I Revere

Image by Christolakis via FlickrI revere 'God' who dissolved the bondage's of Affection for worldly desires, feeling of hatred, indulgence in pleasure of body senses;

I revere 'God' who has in his experience known the universal truth;

I revere 'God' who has shown the path of Moksha, ultimate happiness, to all;

I revere 'Monk' who has no material desires, who practice virtues within oneself and equanimity towards all.

Forgiveness ~ Logic of letting go

Image via WikipediaWhen we are children, and someone tells us to ‘let go,’ it is usually in reference to something material, and when we let go, we can either feel empty, as if we are being deprived of something, or we can feel full, knowing that we have allowed someone to have that something, and s/he must really need it.

As adults, letting go can still leave us feeling empty or full. Both feelings may occur simultaneously. Ultimately , letting go will allow us to feel free, unburdened, healed, happy, even joyous . I intend to address how we can reach these ultimate feelings.

The concept of letting go is very complex. For the sake of this discussion, i will divide the various aspects of letting go into three categories:
1) physical,
2) psychological, and
3) spiritual.

When i discuss the physical realm, i am talking about anything tangible, whether it is our bodies or our environment. Our environment can often be cluttered, so purging of much of this stuff can be truly liberating.

Our bodies may not please us, so we can choose to let go of extra weight. We can choose to let go of bad habits and addictions. We can choose to free ourselves of the indiscriminate materialism and consumerism that requires constantly acquiring more and more of anything.

Moving from the physical to the psychological, we move to the why of those items that we could let go of physically. For example, why do we have all of the stuff that needs to be purged? What has caused the rampant materialism that has allowed us to fill up our lives with objects and beings? I almost wrote ‘inanimate,’ but there are those who fill up their lives with pets and children and casual acquaintances rather than real relationships.

All such acquisitional behavior is symptomatic of a psychological need that longs to be filled, but which should be purged. The same is true of other unpleasant emotions, like anger, fear, jealousy /envy, even hate; when a psychological need exists, it causes these emotions to manifest in an attempt to satisfy that need. Guess what?

The very same is true for any bad habits and addictions we want to let go of; while there may be a biochemical component to these, they also are indicative of some sort of need or self-perceived deficiency or pain that, in turn, is symptomatic of needing to spiritually let go.

Truthfully, one could argue that if one lets go and purges at the physical and psychological levels, spiritual level purges and progress will automatically follow. Instead of dealing with those two arguments, i am going to run to one common expression: Let Go; Let God.

When we consider the spiritual level, by definition we are dealing with the Divine by whatever name we wish to call Him. Also, by definition, we are exiting the scientific arena that forms the foundation of most of my work, and moving into the realm of faith, which happens to form the foundation for the remainder of my work.

Most spiritual advisors argue that happiness and joy are the natural state of our souls. Therefore, if these are not what we feel, what must be purged from the spiritual realm?

Because every single major faith has reincarnation as one of its major tenets, and the purpose of reincarnation is for the spirit to achieve a higher state. Ridding ourselves of karma is the ultimate purge!

Now that we have seen the different levels of letting go and purging, how do we begin the process? Try beginning with just one small step in one aspect of your everyday life. Identify something that you don't need, and let go of it. Perhaps it will be your décor?

Even though i embrace much of Mies van der Rohe’s ‘Less is More’ philosophy, one does not have let go of an overall personal style that you might enjoy more in order to simplify and streamline your life. However, it may help to examine “Why” you have a particular décor, and whether it might merit letting go in order to have a more life enhancing physical environment. Mostly, this is about just getting rid of accumulated material items that aren’t needed any more.
Think about the motivations you have for selecting a career, a hobby, a car, a house, even a spouse. Are those motivations from your own internal dreams and drive, or are there some external pressures? This is moving beyond the realm of everyday activity , and into the realm of special activity ; these special events are most often psychological in nature.

Remember, though, that there are many ways to get an education, so temper all external pressures with your internal dream. Loosen the influence of external pressures, learn what your choices are, listen to your own internal dream, and then let go of what isn’t part of that internal dream.

Now that you have identified your internal dream, what is holding you back from achieving your greatness? Money? Fear? Inhibitions? Overwhelming anger? Frustration? Laziness? Whatever it is, you must start to let go of what is holding you back.

For instance, i have a beautiful relative who is very intelligent and artistically talented; she once told me that her dream was to write children’s books. When i asked her why she didn’t ‘just do it,’ she said she was afraid of failing. I urged her to let go of her fear of failure, but that fear had its hooks in too deep.

Once you start letting go of what you don’t need, and loving all, you will have fewer blocks in your spiritual Path! As you begin to ‘Let go,’ you automatically begin ‘Letting In.’ Both are processes, so please don’t expect overnight success. Start small, and change will occur incrementally.

Let go of the need for perfection and the physical, psychological and spiritual baggage that embodies . Let in the goal of self-improvement throughout your life. Let in Love. We are all works in progress. Make a pact with yourself to show just a little more love every day. Let in the Divine.

source TOI http://tinyurl.com/4ae4er

Power Affirmations e-Posters ~ Law of Attraction

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Take charge of your life

Image via WikipediaWhenever things don't happen the way you want them to, there is a temptation to name it destiny. This is how you deal with failure; you are consoling yourself. Whatever situations you are living in, to be human means that you can mould situations the way you want them.

But today, most people in the world are moulded by the situations in which they exist. That is simply because they exist in reaction to the situations they are placed in.

So their question will be, "Why was I placed in such a situation? Is it my bad luck, is it my destiny?" Everything that you know now as "myself" is just an accumulation. Your body is just an accumulation of food. What you call "my mind" is an accumulation of impressions that you have gathered through the five senses. What you accumulate can be yours; it can never be you. What is you is yet to come into your experience; it is in an unconscious state.

You are not even 100 per cent conscious of what you have accumulated. You are trying to live your life through what you have gathered, not through who you are.

You have acquired certain tendencies depending upon the type of impressions you have gathered. This can be changed. Irrespective of your current tendencies, your past experience of life, your genetics, irrespective of who your parents were, where you were born, where you grew up, if you do certain things with yourself, you can change this.

You can completely rewire yourself in 24 hours' time. A century ago, many things that people believed to be destiny or God's will, like diseases, infections and death are today in our hands because we have taken charge of certain things. What we call technology today is just this: Within the laws of nature, everything on the outside that can be taken charge of, we will take charge of someday.

As there is an outer technology, there is an inner technology or inner engineering. Everything that this life is, is naturally happening to a certain law. If you know what the nature of life within you is, you can completely take charge of the way it happens. Then would you let any unpleasantness happen to you?

Unpleasantness is happening to you in the form of anger, fear, anxiety and stress because your basic faculties — your body, mind, emotions and your life energies — are doing their own thing as if they don't belong to you.

It doesn't matter who you are. Life doesn't work for you unless you do the right things. Existence is not judgmental. Good, bad, all these judgments are essentially human and socially conditioned. Every society has its own idea of what is good and bad, but existence is treating all of us the same way. Who-ever is receptive right now gets the bounty of life. The whole aspect of yoga is to make you receptive.

If your experience of life trans-cends the limitations of the physi-cal, you become available to Grace. Suddenly you function like magic. Other people may think you are magic but you know you are just beginning to become receptive to a different dimension of life. And for everybody, this possibility is wide open.

When it comes to outside realities, all of us are differently capable. What you can do, somebody else cannot do; what someone else can do, you cannot do. But when it comes to inner possibilities, every human being is equally capable. You are not any less capable than a Buddha or a Jesus or anybody for that matter. All of us have the same inner capabilities, unfortunately never explored, never accessed.

by SADHGURU @ http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Lifestyle/Spirituality/Take_charge_of_your_life/articleshow/3510241.cms

Liked this article, hence posting for your attention to think on!

The Butterfly

Image by Getty Images via Daylife A man found a cocoon of a butterfly. One day a small opening appeared. He sat and watched the butterfly for several hours as it struggled to force its body through that little hole.

The man decided to help the butterfly. He took a pair of scissors and sniped off the remaining bit of the cocoon. The butterfly then emerged easily. But it had a swollen body and small, shivered wings.

The man continued to watch the butterfly because he expected that, at any moment, the wings would enlarge and expand to be able to support the body, which would contract in time. Neither happened! In fact, the butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around with a swollen body and shivered wings. It never was able to fly.

The restricting cocoon and struggle is required for the butterfly to get through the tiny opening were God's way of forcing fluid from the body of the butterfly into its wings so that it would be ready for flight once it achieved its freedom from the cocoon.

Sometimes struggles are exactly what we need in our lives. If God allowed us to go through our lives without any obstacles, it would cripple us. We would not be as strong as what we could have been.

We could never fly!

Thumbs Up Gujarat

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• State to get 12 new Medical Colleges

At present Gujrat has 1655 seats which in two years time would go to 3300+ seats. Eight new colleges have been planned in Six cities: 2 each in Ahmedabad and Surat & 1 each in Valsad, Palanpur, Mehasana, and Nadiad. At present State has 12 medical colleges.

• Infrastructure: 3 more 4-Lane Highways

A move which will boost road connectivity & save fuel and time across the Gujarat of the road riders. The roads selected are Ahmedabad - Viramgam - Maliya, Halol - Godhra - Shamlaji and Rajkot - Jamnagar - Vadinar highways. As GRDC & L&T have signed agrrement, construction work will start soon and will be completed in 30 months. L&T will charge Toll on the highways.

• Farmers Cheer! 3 days & 12% Rainfall

Short fall in rains was sending shiverings to all spines here in Gujarat. But, the rainfall in last 72 hours benefited immensly as it was 12% of its annual average. Saurastra farmers are joyous as they will harvest 3 crops this year.

• Forensic Science Varsity at Gandhinagar

Gujarat govt. plans to start from next academic year next to Gandhinagar Forsenic Science Laboratory spread over 20,000 sq km. It was needed to filfill the shaortage of trained manpower.

• Library on Wheels by DPS (East) Ahmedabd

The idea behind the launch is to revive reading habit and bring books closer to the people, especially weaker sections of the society. On Wednesday, Shantibhai Patel, MJ Library's chief librarian said` it is essential for children to realise importance of books and Library on Wheels will go a long way in encouraging to read. It will also be an asset to those who have a desire to read, but don't have means.

• Special Relief Train for Bihar flood victims

Narendra Modi, CM of Gujarat flagged of a special train with all essentials worth Rs.4.7cr in countinuaton of Gujarat's tradition to support disaster-stricken people, be it Kanshmir, Andman Nicobar islands and Tamil Nadu. He louded Surtis for their noble act.

• Cellphone to solve your queries

'VoicePitara' as this new innovation is known, is a platform to connect people to various services using voice and keypad on mobile phones, according to its creators Vinay Modi & Mahesh Chopra. The technocrats are ably supported in their venture by the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIIE) at IIM, Ahmedabad. The main advantage of our system would be communication in the local language without dependence on computers says its innovators.

Prayer for Forgiveness. . .

#1 - Living, loving Spirit, let me practice forgiveness today by starting with the little hurts. I will let go of all the everyday occurrences that do not go the way I want, and the moment I begin to feel the familiar feeling of anger or resentment, I will practice forgiveness by invoking your loving and peaceful Presence and allowing divine grace to surround me. And so it is.

#2 - Living, loving Presence, I enter this moment of silence and consciously make the decision to unburden and detach myself from the painful memories of the past. I release to you everything that holds me back from my spiritual journey. I feel your power working in and through me in forgiving and letting go all that needs to be forgiven and released. And so it is.

Paryushan & Festival of Forgiveness

Paryushan is the most important Jain religious observance of the year.

Paryushan Parva lasts 10 days; (two popular titles of this festival, viz. (1) ‘Paryushan Parva’ and (2) ‘Dashlakshan Parva’ are in vogue). The festival ordains the Jain’s to observe the ten (10) universal supreme virtues in daily practical life. This is a time of intensive study, reflection and purification.

It takes place in the middle of the rainy season, in the auspicious month ‘Bhadrapad’ of the Jain calendar extends from the fifth day to fourteenth day of the bright fortnight, a time when Jain monks and nuns cease travelling and stay with a community and are available to them for instruction and guidance. It is also a time when the laity takes on various temporary vows of study and fasting, a spiritual intensity similar to temporary monasticism. Paryushan concludes with a time of confession and forgiveness for the transgressions of the previous year.

Even if there are no religious leaders in residence, the laity meets every day during Paryushan, shifting their focus of life to the soul for these days. The most important part of Paryushan is daily meditation and prayer, which provides an opportunity for looking within and looking toward the teachings of the Tirthankaras for guidance. Jain’s often take time off from work during this period and eat a much simpler diet.

Select Jain’s also fast during Paryushan, some for the entire period. At the end of Paryushan, those who have fasted for the 10/31 days; break their fast with a special meal during which they do not touch food, but are fed by friends and loved ones in honor of their achievement.

One cannot consume any fruits or even a grain in our upvaas (fast) except water. We live in a sea of energy. Our bodies gain energy indirectly from the food we eat, while we gain direct energy from the cosmic energy that flows into us through the medulla oblongata at the bottom of the brain. But this kind of acceptance of energy depends upon our mental set-up. The greater the will, the greater would be the flow of energy.

Penance is given high importance to purify one's soul. In the time cycle, Lord Rishabh started the penance for one year at a stretch. The same tradition is followed even today. During the process of penance, all the accumulated toxins in the cells of the body over a period of time start to melt away. Since the body's energies are concentrated in cleaning and detoxification during the fasting process, rest becomes a necessary adjunct. The body parts are recharged and relaxed. This minimizes physical ailments, increases strength and keeps body, mind and the hormonal balance in check.

Its origin is related to the staying of the monks in one place for the rainy season. ‘Paryushan’ is staying of the monks in one place. In popular terminology this stay is termed ‘chaturmas’ because the rainy season is regarded to be about four months.

Paryushan means, literally, "abiding" or "coming together". It is also a time when the laity takes on vows of study and fasting with a spiritual intensity similar to temporary monasticism. Paryushan concludes with a time of confession and forgiveness for the transgressions of the previous year.

Paryushan Parva -Definition / Translation:

The word "Parva" means auspicious day. The word "Paryushan" has several different meanings:

1. Pari + ushan = all kinds + to burn = to burn (shed) our all types of karmäs. To shed our karmäs, we do twelve different types of austerities including fasting.

2. Another meaning of "ushan" is to stay closer. To stay closer to our own soul from all directions and to stay absorbed in our own-self (soul), we do Svädhyäya (self-study), meditation, austerities, etc., and

3. Pari + upshamanä = upshamanä means to suppress, to suppress our passions (kashäyas - anger, ego, deceit and greed) from all directions.

According to Sanskrit grammar the underlying idea of the festival and its interpretation is given below:

“Parismantadushayante dhante karmani yasimannasau paryushanam”

· The celebration through which the karmic matter attached to the soul is totally burnt or vanquished (both internally and externally) is known Paryushan (self-purification).

Therefore:

· The real purpose of the Paryushan is to purify our soul by staying closer to our own soul, to look at our own misdeeds, to ask for forgiveness for the mistakes we have committed, and to take vows to minimize our faults and passions. We try to forget about the needs of our body (like food) and our business so that we can concentrate on our self.

· Paryushan is a festival of self-discipline through fasting and other ascetic practices.

· Men, women and children as well as monks and nuns undertake fasts with varying strictness.

They celebrate ten best characteristics of the soul:

1. Kshamä (forgiveness), Total lack of anger

2. Märdav (Humility), Lack of pride

3. Ärjav (straightforwardness), Lack of cunning

4. Shauch (content - absence of greed), Lack of cunning

5. Satya (truth), Lack of falsehood.

6. Samyam (restraint of all senses), Control over physical violence

7. Tapa (austerities), Austerity is repentance of one's sins

8. Tyäga (charity), Giving up possessions both internal and external

9. Äkinchan (non-possessiveness), Lack of attachment

10. Brahmachärya (celibacy), Abstaining from sexual relations

The festival ordains the Jain’s to observe the above mentioned ten universal supreme virtues in daily practical life. Besides assuring a blissful existence in this world and the other world for every living being, it aims at the attainment of salvation - the supreme ideal for mundane soul.

Jain community, as a whole, high and low, young and old, and males and females, participate with full vigor and zeal in the various religious rituals and cultural programs. They listen with rapt attention to the holy sermons of the Saints and learned Jain scholars arranged during the ten-day festival. In these celebrations lie dormant the seeds of the well being, peace and happiness of the common man. On the eve of this festival all activities, which add to social discord or bitterness are declared taboo from the temple pulpits.

These celebrations harbinger social harmony and amity and preach the lofty Jain motto:

‘Live and Let live’.

Forgiveness
At the conclusion of the festival, the followers request each other for forgiveness for all offenses committed during the last year.

This occurs on Pratipada (first) of Ashwin Krashna (Jain Calendar).

This ritual of forgiveness is sometimes called the rite of "universal friendship." Most Jain centers even in the U.S. now conduct at least part of the ritual of forgiveness in English for the benefit of the youth.

There are several great aphorisms (Sutras) to ask for forgiveness with the unity of the body, speech and mind, and one of them is as follows:

Khämemi Savve Jivä, Savve Jivä Khamantu Mi
Mitti Me Savva bhuesu, Veram majjham na Kenai.

I grant forgiveness to all living beings, May all living beings grant me forgiveness; my friendship is with all living beings, my enmity is totally non-existent. Let there be peace, harmony, and prosperity for all.

The process of shedding our karmäs really begins by asking for forgiveness with true feelings, and to take some vows not to repeat mistakes. The quality of the forgiveness requires humility (vinay - absence of ego) and suppression of anger.

Therefore, the real purpose of the Paryushan is to purify our soul by staying closer to our own soul, to look at our own faults, to ask for forgiveness for the mistakes we have committed, and take vows to minimize our faults.

Paryushan Parva gives expression to the perfectly purified trait of the soul, through which one gets rid of worldly discords and allurements and one gets fully absorbed in the eternal truth on experiencing and realizing the true nature of soul. In other words we can say that the natural realization of the trio ‘the True, the Good and the Beautiful’ is fully possible only through Paryushan. In fact the other name of the Jainism, which is universal religion, is Paryushan. This festival puts an end to all evils in man; gives him realization of the eternal bliss, and spiritualism becomes alive by the celebration of this festival.

Paryushan Parva is a grand Jain festival of self-introspection, self-enlightenment and, self-achievement, which, ultimately leads to the one and only one final goal, i.e., liberation or salvation.

Maa ~ Mother

• Whose presence gives meaning to every creation
• All mothers are rich when they love their children
• Mothers are sweetness love, forgiveness, a secure place in the world
• A Mother is she who can take the place of all other but whose place no one else can take
• Children and Mothers never truly part. Bound in the feeling of each others Heart.
  
• Mother is the heartbeat in the Home and without her, there seems to be no heart throb.
• MAA, the word that spells supreme power
• She lives our joys, cares our cares, and all out hopes and dreams she shares.
• God created Mother because he cannot be present everywhere.
• There is no substitute for her.
• Youth is kept pure and honourable by its sweet dominance.
• Mother's love kept you alive, only love can keep any one alive.
• Thank you for making us feel that nothing that you have achieved is worth more than our love.
• True mother have to be made of steel to withstand the difficulties that are some to beset their children.
• Thank you for giving on living me when I was most unlovable, for believing in me when I no longer believed in my self, for forgiving me when I had done was just unforgivable.
• Melting eyes that speak of love, a warm smile, a reassuring hug, a gentle heart and tenderness inside and out that's what Mother's love is all about.
• Mother! you have always been true, that is essence in my thought.
• She is the most important influence in my life, all that I am and all that I have become is in some way a tribute to her.
• Maa, for the gifts of friendship, laughter and creativity.
• The mother lover her child most divinely.
• A mother laughs our laughter, sheds our tears, returns our love, fear our fears.
• A mother is worth a hundred teachers.
• Mothers are also undying support, constant guidance and the reason behind every little success.
• A mother is a loving angel. Between her arms you find warmth and love which you can never find anywhere else.
• A man loves his sweetness the most, his wife best, but his / her mother the longest.
• Mother, in search of light in the world of darkness.
• A mother is a helper; a fider of lost things; a pocket money giver; an angel without wings.
• "Maa" is the only word that makes everybody all over the world happy, the symbol of devotion.
• Mother leads you from untruth to truth, frm darkness to light and from death to immortality...

• Who ran to help me when I fell, And would some pretty story tell, Or kiss the place to make it well? My Mother.

• For a mother is the only person on earth, Who can divide her love among ten children, And each child still have all her love.

• "Heaven is at the feet of Mothers." -Arabic Proverb

• "The heart of a mother is a deep abyss at the bottom of which you will always find forgiveness." Honore de Balzac

• "My Mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe to my Mother. I attribute all my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her." -George Washington

• Love your mother always, and keep her Smiling.
  

Thank you for giving me life.